Over 20 Free Events Planned Across County Cork for Seachtain na Gaeilge 2026

Cork County Council is bringing the world's biggest Irish language festival to life across the county this March, with more than 20 free events planned for Seachtain na Gaeilge 2026.

Running from 1 to 17 March, Seachtain na Gaeilge is an international celebration of the Irish language and culture, welcoming everyone from fluent speakers to those with just a cúpla focal. This year's County Cork programme includes storytelling, poetry, music, creative writing workshops, and family events, taking place in library branches, schools, and venues throughout the county.

Mayor of County Cork, Cllr. Mary Linehan Foley, said:

"In County Cork we are immensely proud of the Irish language. We have two Gaeltachts in the county and many communities who come together to speak Irish. To celebrate this year's Seachtain na Gaeilge we are delivering over 20 arts and cultural events with County Cork musicians, seanchaís, and artists. I hope a lán duine come out to celebrate as Irish is for everyone, Seachtain na Gaeilge is for everyone."

Chief Executive of Cork County Council, Moira Murrell, added:

"Cork County Council has organised many events across the county for Seachtain na Gaeilge. These events encourage everyone to speak Irish and incorporate it into our daily lives."

Storyteller Paddy O'Brien will deliver sessions for schools and Ciorcail Cainte groups, while poets Bernadette Gallagher and Jeanna Ní Ríordáin will host a bilingual poetry reading and open mic. Library branches will also feature an introduction to the work of Seán Ó Riordáin, one of the most significant Irish poets of the twentieth century, followed by a live performance by Kevin McNally combining readings in Irish and English with electric guitar, Javanese gamelan, and electronics.

For those looking to sing as Gaeilge, Abair Amhrán offers a relaxed, supportive setting to explore Irish song tradition, while Cúpla Focail brings a fun, bilingual creative writing workshop that encourages participants to play with the Irish language through simple prompts and a little creative mischief.

Younger gaeilgeoirí are well catered for too. Creative Beginnings is a bilingual, inclusive creativity and wellbeing event for children aged 0 to 6 and their parents or carers, exploring art, music, movement, and sensory play. Musicians Alan Coakley and Aengus Kirakowski will also perform in schools, with songs from "Throwing Time," the new album whose title draws from the Irish phrase caitheamh aimsire, meaning "passing time."

All events are free to attend. The full programme is available at www.corkcoco.ie.